Dawson, V. K., and C. S. Kolar, editors. 2003. Integrated management techniques to control
nonnative fishes.U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La
Crosse, Wisconsin, December 2003.146 pp. Appendixes A F

ABSTRACT

Many species of native fish from the southwestern United States, including those in the
GilaRiver basin in Arizona and New Mexico, are critically imperiled in part because of
theintroduction and establishment of nonnative fishes.  Effective methods for eradication
andcontrol of nonnative fishes are needed to rehabilitate the imperiled native fish fauna of the
GilaRiver basin.  The objective of this report is to assess the potential of applying techniques
ofintegrated pest management to protect imperiled native fishes in the southwestern United
Statesfrom invasive nonnative species.  To accomplish this, reviews of pertinent literature
wereconducted in selected topic areas and the information presented in a series of chapters
todocument findings.  Subject areas of the review included (1) life-history strategies for
bothnative and nonnative species in those waters; (2) evaluation, identification, and
characteristics ofsuccessful integrated pest management programs; (3) identification of potential
and existingchemicals and appropriate chemical formulations for use as general and selective
piscicides; and(4) procedures and costs associated with the discovery and development of new
and perhapstaxon-specific piscicides.  Characteristics of native fishes of concern were compared
with thoseof nonnative fishes, and the geographic ranges of native and nonnative fishes were
mapped toidentify potentially vulnerable conditions around which control strategies could be
developed. The concept of chemical receptors and receptor responses are presented to help
explain the basisof selective toxicity.  A total of 45 chemicals were identified that have either
been used aspiscicides, or are currently in various stages of development.  A rating system was
developedthat evaluates the usefulness of these chemicals in resolving problems caused by
nonnativefishes.  Only five of the chemicals (antimycin, rotenone, TFM, Bayluscide , and
Squoxin)achieved ratings of 75 or greater out of a possible score of 100.  Chemical reclamations
have notalways been successful as indicated by reviews of hundreds of fish control projects with
reportedsuccesses ranging from 43% to 82%.  It is unlikely that the present arsenal of approved
selectivepiscicides would be effective for controlling nonnative fishes in the southwestern United
Statesbecause the fish communities are different from most areas where selective piscicides are
beingused, and the currently registered taxon selective piscicides target sea lampreys. 
Acomprehensive list of formulations and associated delivery systems for applying
registeredpiscicides are presented. The development of new chemical tools for selectively
managing fishpopulations may be facilitated by the knowledge of the mode of action of candidate
piscicidesand their structure-toxicity relationships.  An evaluation of the costs and benefits of
chemicaltreatments, as well as the cost associated with the development and registration of
newpiscicides, are provided.  Reclamation of habitats that are critically imperiled by invasive
fishesmay need to be implemented using general piscicides such as antimycin or rotenone.  This
wouldrequire that important extant native species be temporarily moved to refugia until after
thetreatments.  In less critical situations, efforts could be directed toward development of
integratedpest management techniques that include development and use of barriers,
water-levelmanipulations, targeted overharvest, stocking of predators, sterilants, toxic baits,
selectivepiscicides, attractants and repellants, immuno-contraceptive agents, viruses,
chromosomalmanipulations, gynogenesis, and transgenics.

KEYWORDS Arizona, control of nuisance fishes, Gila River basin, integrated pest
management,nonnative fishes, reclamation, selective removal, southwestern United States,
taxon-selectivepiscicides